ESP Viper Standard Baritone vs LTD VB-401
ESP Viper Standard Baritone vs LTD VB-401
I'm seriously considering buying a Baritone, but I am a bit uncertain wether to go for the ESP version or the LTD one.
ESP Viper Baritone (standard serie) - € 1550,-
BODY: Mahogany
NECK: Mahogany with White Binding
FINGER BOARD: Ebony
CONSTRUCTION: Set-neck
SCALE: 27"
TUNERS: Gotoh Magnum Lock
BRIDGE: Gotoh Tune-matic
HARDWARE COLOR: Black Nickel
FRET: 24 / XJ
NECK PICKUP: EMG60
BRIDGE PICKUP: EMG81
LTD VB-400/401 - € 650,-
Body: Mahogany
Neck/Fretboard: 3-pc. maple/rosewood with white binding
Construction: Set neck
Scale: 27” baritone
Tuners: Grover tuners
Bridge: Tune-o-matic w/stop tailpiece
Hardware: Black Nickel
Frets: 24 XJ
Pickups: EMG 81 (B) / 85 (N) Active
and a third option:
LTD MHB 400/401 - € 700,-
pretty much the same as the LTD Viper, but with neck-thru construction and string-thru bridge.
I find it difficult to make a decision between these three.
ESP Viper:
Being used to Gibsons and high end Jacksons, an ESP seems more attractive than LTD, but that's mostly my biased first gut feeling (I just love Ebony fret-boards and think Rosewood looks cheap/ugly on a black guitar :p).
I am curious about some specs of this guitar:
This is the only one with a Mahogany neck, I've understood that Mahogany is warmer sounding than Maple, but on a Baritone, won't that get muddy? Or will the ESP baritone sound better than the LTD because of the used woodtypes in the neck/fingerboard?
How do the Gotoh tuners relate to the Grover ones on the LTD's?
And the EMG 60 vs the EMG 85?
Does the overall quality difference (I assume the ESP has a bit higher grade wood etc) justify the double price compared to the LTD's?
And how does the LTD VB-400/401 compare to the MHB model? Is it cheaper because of the stoptail bridge or set-neck construction? And how does that affect the tone?
But it's stupid buying a € 1500,- guitar (or even a € 650,- guitar for that matter), when you have to drill an extra hole in it (which results in you losing your warranty and with the risk that you do something wrong) just to be able to play it properly.
And then I didn't mention that you have a meaninless hole in the bag of your guitar.
ESP one is set-through vs the regular set neck on the LTD if that makes a difference to you...if I had the cash I'd get the ESP.